Fertility Treatments

anyone else stim with follistim only?

sunbaby13 wrote:

I am on follistim. Started at 200units but my estrogen was low so they just upped me to 300. I have a box full of a million medications but I'm only using the one right now. They have only instructed me to use the follistim and said not to worry that they will tell me what to use each time they call.

Now I am worried I missed something or misinterpreted something and I'm panicking (just a little). I am not going to page the on call doctor since i figure I am worrying about nothing but so worried I should be using something else.

What did you guys use for your IVF cycles? When do we use all of these meds? I feel like I know nothing. The paperwork my clinic gave me sucks and doesn't spell it out. They act like the paperwork they gave me answers all my questions when in reality it has no useful information on it. I think when I go for my labs and US on monday I need to have them go through everything with me because I just feel like I am missing some paperwork. I just don't want to mess something up or miss a medication because of miscommunication.

thank you so much for responding. i was having a mini panic attack and just needed a little reasurrance. this process is a little intense some days...

m

muschuck

I used follistim. With a few doses of menopur. I received a calendar schedule for my meds and they would adjust as we went along. Good luck!!!

J

Jaztastic

This us my 2nd IVF and we have always used Follistim/Gonal F with Bravelle/Menopur. But your blood work could have alerted the Re that you only need one right now. But don't be afraid to call or email. I ask questions all the time! It's important you are clear on what is happening and what you need to do.

s

sprbaby2013

I'm not sure what all is in your box, but if you list it, we can tell you what it's all for. I was on Puregon & Menopur for 10 days, added Orgalutran on day 5-10. Ovidrel was my trigger. Prometrium after retrieval. That was it for me, and still cost a fortune.

Yes, you are right. I need to just ask questions and make them sit with me and figure it all out. I don't know why I haven't done this yet. Each time I go I tell myself to go over everything. But then I forget or we talk about something like how many follicles I have, or my lining and I don't remember. I have a list now and an agenda for my appointment tomorrow.

My re has several nurses that meet with you after every ultrasound. You can also call with questions. I asked for info on when they thought I would be ready for egg retrieval after every ultrasound. I felt like a nut with all my questions but remember, this is your journey to have a baby. Also take a deep breath. I was so nervous. I am 5 weeks +2 days and my worrying hasn't gone away.

Since I used puregon (follistim) and menopur together, I'm not sure what your RE's plan is but maybe the menopur will be added if your next appt doesn't show you are responding as you should. Low estrogen means few follicles, and both follistim and menopur are to encourage follicle growth (I wrote more about them on my blog, you can check it out, should be in my signature below). Ganirelix=orgalutran, it is to prevent a natural LH surge once your follicles start to get where they should be and estrogen is high. My guess is you are triggering with Lupron=leuprolide, is there only one dose? Or you could be triggering with the novarel? Novarel is hcg, it could also be there for luteal support. I wasn't on Lupron, but from reading the various protocols of ladies on this board, it tends to be used in one of two ways, either early in the cycle for about 10 days (overlapping with bcp) or as trigger. Finally, the progesterone and vivelle (estrogen) are for luteal support, and you'll be instructed after retrieval to use them. The boxes looked really intimidating to me at first too, so much in there, needles and injection pens and vials for mixing, but you'll get it. Good luck!

Wow, thanks for that information. It was really helpful and you are correct about all of those medicines based on what they told me today. The menopur may be added after Wednesday. Seriously, you are so kind to take time to explain all of that to me. I really appreciate your thoughts. You are really knowledgeable about this. I will read your blog and I hope things work out for you with your journey.

I asked to speak with the IVF nurse after my appt today and they sat down and went over everything with me. They were really nice about it. I guess they didn't realize i was confused and I just needed to take the initiative and not feel stupid (and not forget!).

I have 20 follicles in my right ovary. My left ovary is still not visible. They haven''t started growing much. He assured me that we just needed to find the right dose and they will grow and since my AMH is high I have to be really careful of OHSS. So I wait for the call today to find out. I hope my levels go up.

It is snowing here and I got up extra early to drive in so I wouldn't miss my appointment. I almost didn't make it home but I didn't care because all I was concerned about was making it in for the labs and US.

And I will take your advice on taking a deep breath. I think I get things worked up in my head and in the age of instant gratification, it makes me anxious not to know the answer to some of my questions or concerns right away. Which is why this forum helps so much.

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